Vacuum cleaner



J. T. HUME VACUUM CLEANER Filed Dec. l, 1921 '7 Sheets-ShIeetwBl J. T. HUME VACUUM CLEANER June 2, 1925 1,539,843

Filed Dec. l, 1921 7 Sheets-Sheet 2) 23 LMZS.

1,539,843 J. T. -HQME VACUUM CLEANER Filed Dec. 1, 1 921 7 Sheets-Sheet "O7Z7Z KEUR@ @Miu/AWUQ June 2, 1925. 1,539,843

J. T. HUME VACUUM CLEANER Filed De. 1, 1921 7 sheets-sheet 4 zaag June 2, 1925. 1,539ls43 J. T. HUME VACUUM CLEANER Filed Dec. l, 1921 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 j 15gg 2 j June 2, 1925 1,539,843 'J. T. HUME VACUUM CLEANER Filed Dec. l, 1921 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 I /f v /l i /v n Y f/ 56 FW' @waz l/ J7 f 5/ *kw-H June 2, 1925 1,539,843

J. T. HUME v l VACUUM CLEANER Filed Deo. 1, 1921 7 sheets-sheet 7 fmu l J/ ff-- 4f l y wwmsm www Patented June 2, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE.

JOHN T. HUHE, OF CHICAGO,` ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T HURLEY MACHINE COMPANY', OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

VACUUM CLEANER.

Application led December 1, 1921,- Serial No. `519,230.

To aiZZ whom it .may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN T. HUME, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State ofv Illinois, have invented certain-new and useful Improvements in Vacuum Cleaners, of which the following is a specification.

My .invention relates to improvements in vacuum cleaners, and in some particulars more especially to brush-equipped machines in which a rotary brush, arranged in the nozzle. is driven from the electric motor that also drives the fan. Among the objects of my invention are, betterment yof the machine in its brushing functions; improvement of the brush mounting andthe brush driving mechanism; attainment `of simplicity of construction and ease of assembly, making for cheapness and facility in quantity-manufacture; and utilization of rugged,

durable structure throughout, but in an organization facilitating easiest access to and replacement lof parts that inherently are subject to wear.

Other and more specific objects of my in-l vention will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein I have shown a single form of construction embodying my invention, for purposes of illustration, although it will be understood that in many particulars changes may be made in the specific embodiment of the in'- vention, and adaptation ofv features hereinafter claimed may be made to embody, such! features in different particular makes of machines.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 represents a side elevation of a vacuum cleaner embodying my invention, with parts broken away;-Fig.

2 is a bottom plan view with a ear-case cover-plate removed; Fig. 3.1s a oreand aft section ap roximately on line 3-3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 1s a transverse sectionon line 4-4 of Fig. 2; F ig. 5 is a section approximately on line 5-5 of Fig..2; Fig. 6 is a transverse section on line. 6- 6 of Figs. 2 and 5; Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are sections on lines 7--7, 8-8 and 9-5-9 of Fig. 2; Fig. 10 is a bottom plan view of the main frame casting; Fig. 11` is a section on line 11-11 thereof; Fig. 12 is a bottomi plan view of the brushframe assembly, and Fig. 13 is an end lview thereof. A

In the drawings, 1'5 is a motor and 16 a fangdriven thereby, having its tangential outlet delivering to asuitabledust bag 17, and its eye communicating with an air passage 18r that merges flaringly into a main nozzle structure 19 of proper dimensions to receive the rotatable brush 20, which is driven from the motor, preferably by gear and shaft mechanism. The machine frame is preferably mountedy on front rollers 21 and a rear caster 22, for easy propulsion by means of the handle 23 that is pivoted to the frame.

Preferably the wheels 21 support the main nozzle structure with the bottom edge of its endand front-walls at a predetermined distance from the supporting plane of wheelcontact (i. e., more briefly, ,the workplane), and preferably, also, such wheels are yhoused within the ends of the nozzle structure, only to project slightly therebelow. Both fixed and adjustable positioning of the wheels in such relation being known in the art, I illustratethe wheels, for simplicity, as mounted on rigidly-positioned studs 24 secured directly in the end Walls 25 of the nozzle portion of the main frame-member. As to the brush structure, extending longitudinally of the nozzle 19 nearly from wheel to wheel (see Fig. 4) I provide a capacity for free or independent movement toward and from the work-plane, and lpreferably ivel the brush 20 substantially a uniform arin pressure on the work-surface over which 1t travels, so that the pressure may be at once lighter than and steadier than that which would be imposed were the brush axis fxedly. related to the wheel axis. And as to the nozzle, I preferably provide a subnozzle structure, including the parallel lips that co-act with the work,-;-that also may move toward and from the work-surface, freely or independently of the main nozzle structure, and preferably along with the movements of the brush. v

The fan 16 I prefer to mount in hori-4 below the air passage 18, into the nozzle structure, where it isgearconnected as by beveled gears 28, 29with the spindle 30 ,off brush 20.

In the specific construction shown whereby I `provide for application of. the brush "l to the supporting surface independently of the/position of the ysupporting wheels or main lframe, (and wherein I falsoattain many advantages of simplicity, manufacturing economy, easeof assembling .and d1smemberment, etc.) I preferably construct the lbody of the cleaner in two principal parts, namely a main framestructure 31, se arately shown in Figs 10 and 11, and al su -frame structure 32, separately shown in Figs. 12 and 13. The brush 20, and its driving mechanism back to andv lincludingy the( ty for vertical displacement of its brushcarrying end. p In this arran ementY I preferably locate the pivotal axis so that the brush-carrying or forward end of the sub-frame overbalances vits-'rear end, thus lightly but firmly to bring the brush into contact with the supporting surface. As re'- gards the brush, this provision of ar 'subrame structure effectively provides one available arrangement, mounting the brush Vfor movement independently vof 'the main frame; and asregards the brush-operating mechanism the construction provides one convenient arrangement for assembly ofthe brush-drive mechanism on a demountable structure, facilitating sub-assembly I and' dis- `memberment,l While as' regards the frame structureA `generally the organization *pr"o-y vides one effective arrangement of a removable bottom structurejgiving access to the.

' interiory of the machine and simplifying manufacture. l

Referring particularly toFigs. l10 and 11, the mainy frame is hewn as providi'n a horizontal fan cham r 33, Walled toga ord the tangential outlet assage 34l and having at its botton the eye 35, the rear end of the castin being worked out -to symmetrical form y suitable extension walls 36. A skirt 37 on the under side of the fan chamber defines-a portion of the air passage `18, merging into the nozzle-portion-19-'gof-fthe frampe,` s`o forming anopen-bottomed s e The'sub-frame 32 provides a late mem,- ber 40 shaped' comformably wit the main body vto f it in saidshell andsubstantiallyto l on the spring-pressed pivot pins* 41 car- 'v e sub-frame andengagin open'" ings 42 Yof the main frame.

lose the bottom of theair passage 18, and pivotally mounted -in the main `body as `ried byt At t e fo ward end'of the sub-fra e I provide what I may term'thesub-nozvzle, ormed olf'li'ps 48.

43 bounding at front and rear the-orifice 44 through which. thel brush ,WO'rks, these lips being connectai by endarche's 45l and center.` archesi46, all- .of'which are suitably Shaped to act as-guides andto receive in sliding, demoun'table engagement therewith i the respective end bearing-blocks 47 and center bearing-blocks 48, which are fitted on the brush spindle 30.

In the specific 'construction shown the brush unit 20l comprises the four bearing elements 47 and 48 for thefspindlc 30' and, upon the spindle and between lthe two centra] bearing membersfthe Vgear 29v is lmounted. This'unit is adapted to be sli d into or withdrawn-from the arched gui es and, when in place, may be suitablymetained, afs by a coverv late 50 (Fig' 12) a portion'of which underlies the center bearings and their guide y'arches 48, and`4 makes an' impervious yfit therewith.

It will now beapparent that the` subframe, "having its forward end sufficiently shorter than the nozzle end of the main frameto clearthe wheels 21 carried by the main frame, provides a sub-nozzle, and a. rotatable brush constantly related thereto, the

V brush and sub-nozzle being freely movable,

withinlimits,` so as to take working position v,independently-of the position of the main referred to, extending to cever"the bottom` opening of these several recesses, Shaft 27 j may-be mounted in bearing .blocks 53, 53 of 'I' non-'circular cross-section? `that, when re- 4movabl slippd into thechannel 51,'wil1-be retaine by' t e cover plate. ShaftxQT carries a 'gear 54 throughv which it` may receive motion from .wenn 55 on theyerticalshaftz 26, which, in turnis driven from the-fan shaft. Tm' maintam this' drivin relation,

-While leaving the subframefree orits lim-V ited range of movement,` Il

. s lidingly interft'the upper endl 2e of shaft'ae `with the am hub, these interiitting parts being of non'- circular cross-section; yShaft 26 may findA bearing-in a ,block ffittediinl standard 58 of the subframe casting, and in Ya sleeve 59 fitted into the 'removable cover-plate' 50,' so

that on detachment of vthe.coverplate` the'l lshaft 26 may .readily be withdrawn.

I prefer to make provision such that the positivedriving of the-brush yfrom the fan shaft may be stopped at will, and this end I arrange the gear; 54-1ooselyonlshaft 27 and provide clutch, eXteriorly opelftable,` by whichsaid gear may be vsecured for rotation to said shaft. The loosely mounted gear 54 has a cone-clutch extension 60, while on the end of lshaft 27 thereis slidably but non-rotatably mounted a complemental clutch member 61A urged toward the cone by a spring 62 that surrounds the shaft and bears against an end washer 63.v e annular groove of clutch member v61 is engaged by a shifter lever of bell-crank de-lsign, pivoted at 65 and having its extremity 66 (see Fig. 8) cam-beveled for coaction with a cam pin 67 suitably carried,`in vertical position, by the sub-frame. mainframe another pin, 68, aligning with pin 67 forms in eifect, a working extension ofthe first, this pin 68 being normally raised Y by spring 69 and provided with a latch head 70 which, when depressed, may-be rotated by means of the handle piece 71 to' throwl this provision for shiftingthe clutch correl sponds 'withthat disclosed in myvcospending application, Serial No.f 455,010 filed March 24, 1921- `(now Patent No. 1,458,939,

June 19, 1923), and furthenkmy present preferred construction embodies a feature of a closing shutter 75 for the air Vpassage l, which-,is also disclosed in thatapplicap tion. Such shutter is shown as pivoted on 'a cross-shaft l76, frictionally resisted in movement by action ofa spring 77 but operableby a lever d2'8 #(Fig.` 6) which, when vin shutter opene y place the closure 79 for an attachment-ori nce 80. In respect of this last v.mentioned construction I prefer to arrange the shutter-- pivot substantially directly over the pivotal axis 42 lfor the sub-frame, so that rocking of the sub-iframe within its rather slall limit of permissive movement will hav no appreciable eiect upon the closing-action of the shutter. f

It will, of course, be understood that while I have hereindescribediin some detail one particular embodiment of my invention for purposes of full disclosure, and may claim some of the detail provisions thereof for their specific advantages, that in its broader aspectsm invention is susceptible of embodiment 1n other forms and modified structures, all within the spirit of my invention f andwithin the scope of the appended claims.

" 1. In a'. vacuum cleaner, having a` main 'fected by thev structure.

In the position, also retains in" tion above. the work-plane, la sub-nozzle structure freely movable in the main nozzle toward and from said work-plane and unafweight of the main` nozzle 2. In a vacuum cleaner, having a main nozzle-structure arranged at definite elevation abovey the werk-plane, a sub-nozzle structure freely movablel in theY mainV -nozzle toward and Afrom said 'workfpl'ana' and a rotatable brush'associatedmith the sub-nozzle/for movement therewith to coact with the workfree 'from the weight of the main nozzleestructura.` A "13; In a-vacuum cleaner, a main frame including a main nozzle structure, a subframe, andl a power-driven brush carried by saidsub-jframe, said sub-frame beingI freel Y movabletd permit the brushv to'rise and fa l relative to the main frame fand said subframe having sub-nozzle lips movable with the brush.' i v 4. Ina vacuur'ncleaner, a main frame proyiding a vmain nozzle structure, a sub-frame 'nozzle-structure arranged at definite'elevaextending within the nozzle and pivote'd for ,1

free relative movement of its forward end with respect to the nozzley and at said forward endproviding-sub-nozzle lips; a brush mounted V1n lsaid forward end of saidf-subframe above and between said` lips; and means to drive the brush Iinv any position of the sub-frame.

' 5. Ina vacuum cleaner, a-main frame providing l an open-bottomed shell including nozzle portions, portions of the walls of an air passage, and a fan chamber; a sub-frame having a portion forming a Wall arranged to substantially close f the bottom of, and complete, said air passage and having also a forward. portion forming the rear lip of the nozzle structure, said sub-frame being mounted with respect to the .main Aframe to permit `free rise and fall of saidnozzle-lip, a motor driven'fan in said fan chamber; a?

brushy inthe nozzle st-ructurel mounted on said sub-frame to rise and fall therewith;

.and driving connections between thel fanx motor and brush operable in vany, position of the brush. ,v ,l

6. In a vacuum cleaner, a main frame ioviding an open-bottomed shell inclu ing`ly ,nozzle portions, a nozzle brush, lasub-frame carrying said brush, substantiallyclosing the bottom of saidshell in rear of said nozzle forming anlair passa e and mounted to permit free movement vo the brush car ing portion of said sub-frame relative' to t e mainframe, said sub-frame having an openbottomed gear-casing shell formed thereon, a remeyable bottom clo ure for said gearcasing shell, a motor, b ash-driving means operated from said motor and including :portions-'confined in said gearcasing shell. 7.' In a vacuum cleaner, a main fralneprlao l 'zle brush, providing a substantially closed. -gear-casing structure, and mounted 1n ,the

main frame for rise and fall of its brushcarrying end independently'of the main framesaid sub-frame completing said air" passage, a motor, and motor-driven, brushdriving mechanism mounted in said gearcasing of the sub-frame.

8. In a vacuum cleaner, a main frame having a nozzle portion, a brush-unit arranged in said nozzle portion comprising a brush having a shaft and bearings therefor, a sub-frame having bottom openings to receive said bearings with the shaft therein, and mounted with respect to the main frame "for free vertical movabilitv of the brush in` dependently of the main frame, and means to detachably retain the bearings in the subframe. v

9. In a vacuum cleaner, a main frame providing a main nozzle structure, a nozzle brush, a subframe carrying said nozzle brush and' mounted in the main frame to permit vertical movement of said nozzle brush independently of the main frame,

means to drive said brush including a motor,

and a horizontal shaft connected to be driven by the motor and to drive the brush, bearings for said shaft, said sub-frame being provided with bottom openings to receive said bearings, and means for demountably retaining said bearings in said openings.

10. In a vacuum cleaner, a main frame provided with a main nozzle portion, a horizontal fan casing, andI Walls formingv the open-bottomed shell of a connecting air passage, a sub-frame4 detachably mounted to close the bottom of said air passage and to permit free vertical movement of the forward extremity of said sub-frame, and a power-driven brushy carried by the forward end of said sub-frame.

11. In a vacuumcleaner, a main frame roviding a matin nozzle structure and open- Eottomed Walls of an airpassage, and a fan casing,of a sub-frame detachably mounted4 in said main frame to permit vertical movement-V of the forward extremity df said Sub- Iframe independently of the main frame and 12. In a vacuum cleaner, a main frame roviding a main nozzle structure and openottomed Walls of an air passage, and a fan casing, of a sub-frame detachably mounted insaid main frame to permit vertical movement of the forward extremity of said subframe independently of they main frame and substantially to -close the bottom of said air passage, said sub-frame beingy provided with a sub-nozzle structure affording front and rear nozzle lips. n l

13. In a vacuum cleaner, a mainframe providing a horizontal fan casing, an openbottomed air passage structure, and a nozzle structure, a fan in said casing, a driving motor for the fan, a sub-frame structure pivoted to the main frame, a brush carriedby the forward portion of said sub-frame, drivingv gearing for the brush carried by said sub-frame and including a" vertical shaft, and an axially slidable, non-rotatable connection between said vertical shaft and the motor shaft.

14. In a vacuum cleaner, a main frame providing a nozzle portion, a sub-frame pivoted to the main frame and carrying a brush disposed in thenozzle of the main frame, ldriving, gearing for said brush mounted on said sub-frame and including a disconnecting clutch, clutch-disengagin'g means carried by said sub-frame, and means for operating said clutch-disengaging means carried bythe main frame. i

l5. In a vacuum cleaner, the combination of a main frame providing -a nozzle portion and an open-bottomed air passage portion, a sub-frame horizontally pivoted in the main frame and substantially closing the open bottom of the air passage, and a shutter for interiorly` closing the air passage horizontally pivoted in substantially the vertical plane of the pivotal axis of said subframe.

JOHN T. HUME. 

